Andhra schoolgirl attacked with chain saw in class; Ram Gopal Varma says films should not be blamed

A schoolgirl was attacked with a chain saw (an electric saw) at a school in Andhra Pradesh. The shocking incident has revived the debate over violence shown in films. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has responded to the criticism of violent scenes in films, saying it is wrong to hold films responsible for rising violence in society.

Varma put out his views on the social media platform X on Sunday. He said blaming films for increasing violence is like blaming the Ramayana for a rise in abduction cases. His remark is being seen as controversial.

The incident took place at Rapthadu in Anantapur district. A young man entered a school classroom and attacked the girl with a chain saw. The attacker is Hemanth, 21. The girl is 15 and studies in Class 10. A friend of hers was also injured while trying to save her.

According to the police's preliminary investigation, the accused had been stalking the girl for a long time. He had proposed to her and she had turned him down. The initial inquiry found that this was why he attacked her. The injured girl is being treated at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru, and her condition is reported to be stable. The accused was traced and taken into custody from Dharmavaram.

After the incident, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga's film Animal came up for discussion on social media. Netizens have criticised a scene in the film, which stars Ranbir Kapoor, in which he is seen entering a school classroom with a loaded gun.

A debate is under way on social media over what effect violent scenes in films have on young people's thinking. Some netizens have demanded that filmmakers and actors be held responsible for glorifying violence. One user, recalling questions raised earlier about violence and propaganda in films, said the effect of such scenes needs serious discussion. Another user cited the scene in Animal of a man entering a class with a gun and questioned the role of the filmmakers.

Varma is considered a close friend of Vanga. He has praised Vanga's style of filmmaking and his work at public events before. Vanga also regards Varma as his role model.

Following the attack at the school, the debate over violence in films and its possible effect on society has heated up once again.